Jar top remover with resilient cap engaging member



July 21, 1953 v. H. GOLDSMITH 2,645,957

JAR TOP REMOVER WITH RESILIENT CAP ENGAGING MEMBER Filed Sept. 28, 1950Vernon H. Goldsmi/h I IN V EN TOR.

Anon" Patented July 21, 1953 JAR TOP REMOVER WITH RESILIENT-CAP ENGAGINGMEMBER Vernon H. Goldsmith, West Palm Beach, Fla. Application September28, 1950, Serial No.187,218 6 Claims. (01. 81-33) This invention relatesgenerally to kitche tools, generally speaking, and more particularly toa jar or similar container top remover which can be mounted on a handleand used as a portable tool, or which may be mounted on a bracket fixedto a wall or an equivalent stationary sup port.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a means forexpeditiously removing the tops of glasses and jars such as areordinarily usedyas containers for certain types of cheese, olive butter,various brands of jellies, and the like, the containers often being ofthe type which are usable as drinking glasses after the tops have beenremoved.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for removingvacuum-type tops so that the top is not deformed and so that the top canbe replaced on the jar after a serving has been removed therefrom. Injar top openers of conventional type there is no means provided toprevent the jar tops from bending out of shape during the removalthereof from the jar. The present invention provides such means.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a jar top remover whichcan be used with many different shapes and types of jar tops.

Another object of the invention is to provide an opener of extremelyimple form and which is extremely simple to mount in a suitable loca-'tion in the kitchen, the jar top opener being capable of being disposedeither generally horizontally or inclined to the horizontal, by the useof a simple plate or an angle bracket, respectively, as mounting means,and it should also be noted that this invention is ideally adapted forincorporation with a handle so that the tool is made completelyportable.

A last object of the invention to be mentioned specifically is toprovide a device of this kind which is relatively inexpensive andpracticable to manufacture, which is simple and completely safe to use,which is hygienic and easily cleaned, and which will give generallyeificient and durable service.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certainnovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elementsand portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in thespecification, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims andillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part ofthis application, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of one em.-

bodiment of this invention wherein the jar top opener is secured to awall by means of a simple plate; g a

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view the structure of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view, in perspective, of a modified form of this inventionwherein an angle bracket is used to support the jar and jar top engagingmember; t

Figure 4 is another view, in perspective, of the structur shown inFigure 3 with the jar top and the upper portion of the jar with said topre-,- moved from the jar;

Figure 5 is a. view, in perspective showing this invention incorporatedwith a handle rather than with means for securing th device fixedly on awall; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view, of theelement hereinafter referred to as a bar. e

Like reference characters designate like parts throughout the views. j

By way of introduction to the detailed description, and, genericallyspeaking, the several embodiments of the invention herein revealed haveto do with a part hereinafter called a bar. This is preferably linearlystraight and flat throughout its major portion. Either at one end oradjacent to one end said bar is provided with a laterally disposeddepending portionand this, in turn, has its free or'terminal endfashioned into a hook. The hook underlies the adjacent end portion ofthe bar. In addition and as will be more specifically set forth, thereis a jar top engaging plate which is preferably flat and, issubstantially coextensive in length with the bar. It underlies the barand has one end portion either directly or indirectly securedoperatively and rigidly to the corresponding end portion of the bar. Theplate is resiliently rigid and the unattached end portion is free and isinterposed between the hook and the overlying portion of the bar.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will first be noted thatthere are three embodiments of this invention illustrated, Figures 1 and2 showing one embodiment, Figures 3 and 4 showing another embodiment,and Figures 5 and 6 showing a third.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the bar I0, constructed of rigidmaterial such as a reasonably good grade of steel, is provided at oneend with an upturned flange I2 which is securedto be used. The plate I4is secured to a wall or the like by screws or the like (not shown)inserted through the aperture I8 in the plate I4. The other end of thebar I is provided with a depending portion 20 terminating in a returnedlip 22, the li being offset from the bar I0 by the depending portion 20and the lip extending substantially parallel to the bar III. The edge ofthe lip, indicated at 24, disposed toward the attaching plate I4, isarcuate to fit the side of the jar during the operation of removing thetop from the jar. Otherwise stated, the hook is made arcuate to conformto and fit under the edge of the jar top.

A jar top engaging plate 26, in the present form of the inventionconsiderably broader than the bar I0, extends underneath this bar I0 andterminates in an attaching flange 28 which is riveted, as at 30, to theattaching plate I4. The other end of the jar top engaging plate 26 restsupon the inner surface of the lip 22 except when sprung away therefromduring the actual operation of the device. In other Words, the jar topengaging plate-26 is slightly resilient and the lip 22, aside from itsfunction'in engaging the jar top, also serves as a stop to limit thedownward movement of the end 32 of the jar top engaging plate 26,

Referring now to the embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figures3 and 4, it will first be noted that the same general arrangement ofelements is maintained in this embodiment. However, the bar I00 has itsattaching flange I02 depending instead of upwardly turned and thisflange I02 is secured directly to a wall I04, or the like. The other endof the bar I00 is offset from the wall I04 by an angle bracket I06, theflange I08 of which is also secured to the wall I04, so that the upperend of the bar I00 is held outwardly from the wall and the bar isinclined to the vertical. The lip II4 is offset from the bar I00 by aportion H2 and the portion lI2'is integral with an attaching flange IIO,ordinarily welded directly to the outer surface of the bar I00 near itsupper end. The lip-II4 corresponds functionally and structurally withthe lip 22 already described. In each case, the lip may taper to thearcuate edge thereof, as clearly indicated in the drawings. Thejar topengaging plate H6 in this embodiment is provided with a depending flangeII8 secured by the screws I20, which screws also are used to hold theflange I02 onthe Wall I04. The screws I22 are'used to secure theattaching flange I08 in place. It will be noted that a jar top I26 isengaged by the jar top engaging plate II6, upon a considerable portionof its upper surface so that deformation of the jar top is prevented,while the jar I24, fragmentarily illustrated in Figure 4, is prieddownwardly away from the top I25. The lip I I4, of course, engages theone edge of the jar top I26.

In Figures and 6, the third embodiment of this invention is illustrated.In this'embodiment, the bar 200 is formed integral or rigidly secured toa handle 202, which handle may be considered the supporting member forthe bar200. The handle 202 will preferably be formed with laterallydisposed flanges 204 so that the handle is more comfortable to use, itbeing understood that any type of handle may be incorporated with thisdevice. Nevertheless, the simple form shown has certain advantages,inasmuch'as the cost of production is limited and the tool is very easyto clean. When the tool is held in operative position. the element 206comprises a depending por- 4 tion with the lip 208 on its lower end. Asbefore, the element 206 and the lip, together with the handle 202 may beformed as an integral part of the bar 200. The jar top engaging plate2I0 is preferably, in this embodiment, slightly wider than the bar 200and the heel portion of the plate 2I0 comprises an angulated portion 2I2of the plate terminatin in an attachment portion 2I4 which may be weldedto the end portion of the handle 202 adjacent the bar 200 so that themain portion of the plate 2 I0 is spaced from the bar 200. As before,the jar top engaging plate 2 I0 will be slightly resilient, or at leastthe portion .2I2 thereof should be slightly resilient so that the toolwill accommodate itself to use with different sized jar tops. The handle202 may be formed integral with the hook end of the bar 200 so that thelip 208 is in the middle of the tool.

The operation of this invention will be clearly understood from aconsideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical detailsthereof, taken in connection with the drawings and with the aboverecited objects. In eveiy case, the jar top is engaged at its edgebetween the lip and that part of the jar top engaging plate adjacentthereto. The jar is then pried or pivoted, as indicated in Figure 4, andthe jar is removed without deformation of the same. Further descriptionwould appear unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A container top remover comprising a longitudinally elongate rigidbar, one end of which is adapted to be fixedly joined to any suitablesupport means, the other end portion of said bar having a lateraldepending rigid portion integrated therewith and terminating in a rigidright angled return bend underlying said other end portion of the bar inspaced relationship therewith and defining a container top engaging andlifting lip, a container top bridging and contacting plate underlyingand opposed to said bar, means affording a rigid and permanentconnection between one end of said plate and the corresponding end ofsaid bar, the other end of said plate being free and interposed in thespace between said lip and the adjacent overlying end portion of saidbar, said plate being flexibly resilient, constitutinga container topanti-distorting brace, and being adapted to reside in firm stabilizingcontact with said container top from one side to the other diametricallyopposite side of the latter, whereby when said lip is engaged with theusual rim of said top and the latter is dislodged and pried off, thebrace acts to prevent the body portion of said top from bending orotherwise becoming distorted in shape.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the underneath side of saidbar is flat and linearly straight, said plate having flat top and bottomsurfaces and beingof a length and width to cooperate with'container topsof a wide range of diameters, the free end of said lip being arcuatelycurved and said lip having the additional function of a stop so that thefree flexing end of said plate is at all times confined in the spacebetween said lip and the overlying end portion of said bar.

3. A jar top remover comprising, in combination, a supporting member, abar rigidly secured at one end to said supporting member, the other endportion of said bar having a laterally disposed depending portionterminating in a'right angularly disposed return bend underlying saidbar in spaced relationship therewith and providing a jar top-engaginglip, a resilient Jar top engaging plate extending underneath of said barand means rigidly securing one end of said plate to said supportingmember, the other end of said plate being interposed between said lipand the adjacent overlying portion of said bar.

4. A jar top remover comprising, in combination, a supporting member, abar rigidly secured at one end to said supporting member, the other endof the bar having a laterally disposed portion terminating in arightangularly disposed return bend underlying the adjacent end portionof the bar in spaced relationship therewith and providing a jar topengaging lip, and a resilient jar top bridging and contacting platesubstantially commensurate in length with said bar and underlying thebar in spaced relationcured to a relatively stationary wall or the like.

5. A jar top remover comprising an elongate rigid bar having one endadapted to bear against and to be secured to a relatively stationarysupport, said bar extending angularly from said support, the other endportion of said. bar being spaced from said support and having an anglebracket formed integrally therewith,said angle bracket having an endadapted to be secured to the same support, said bar and complementalangle bracket conjointly forming a substantially V-shaped fixture, saidother end portion of said bar having a laterally directed portion formedintegrally therewith and provided with an angularly disposed terminalbend underlying the bar in approximate spaced relationship andcooperating therewith in providing a jar top engaging and lifting lip,and elongate resilient jar top bridging plate of a length slightly lessthan the length of said bar and underlying the underneath side of saidbar, said plate being adapted to firmly contact and stabilize the jartop when the latter is being dislodged and lifted for removal, one endof said plate being rigidly secured to the corresponding end of saidbar, the opposite end of said'plate being free, situated in the spacebetween said lip and adjacent end portion of the bar and being bendabletoward and from the bar, said lip constituting a stop for the free endportion of said plate so that the latter is constantly confined in thespace between the lip and bar. I

6. A jar top remover comprising a supporting member, a flat facedlinearly straight rigid bar secured at one end to an adjacent end ofsaid supporting member, the other end of the bar having a laterallydisposed depending portion terminating in a return bend disposed inspaced relationship to the adjacent end portion of the bar and providinga jar top engaging and lifting lip, said bar and supporting member beingaxially aligned and coplanar and said supporting member being shapedproperly and functioning as a handle, and a flexibly resilient jar topbrace, the latter being in the form of an elongate plate of a lengthsubstantially commensurate with the length of the bar and underlying thebar, one end of said plate being rigidly secured at the juncture of saidbar and handle, the opposite end of the plate being freely bendabletoward and from said bar and being situated in the space between saidlip and the overlying end portion of said bar, whereby to provide aportable jar top remover. j

VERNON H. GOLDSMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,215,019 Hansen Feb. 6, 1917 1,996,696 Brown Apr. 2, 19352,118,159 Castner 'May 24, 1938 2,155,947 Low Apr. 25, 1939 2,510,459Bloomfield et a1. June 6, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date875,059 France June 1, 1942

